Pumping mechanism



,1942. J. w. MCCONAGHY PUMPING MECHANISM Filed July 12, 1941 15 INVENTOR Jamesldmlatom yfiy Hus ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov; 3, 1942 2,301,063 PUMPING Mechanism James W. McConag y, Phillipsburg, N. 1., as- I signor to Ingersoll-Band Company, New York, N: Y., a corporation. New Jersey Application July 12, 1941, Serial No. 402,100

2Clalms.

This invention relates to pumping mechanism, and more particularly to a pumping mechanism intended for pumping fluid medium that may serve, among other functions, that of a lubricant, as for example the oil used for insulating and cooling transformers. 7

One object of the invention is to eliminate the use of packing devices for the drive shaft of the pumping mechanism.

Another object is to preclude the possibility of air seepage into the medium being pumped.

Still another object is to use a portion of the discharge output of th pumping mechanism as a' cooling agent for the motor driving the pumping mechanism and also as a lubricant for the bearings of the pumping mechanism.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The figure in the drawing is a longitudinal view, partly in section, of a pumping'mechanism constructed in accordance with the practice of the invention.

Referringmor particularly to the drawing, the pumping mechanism, designated in general by ID and capable of use in either a horizontal or a vertical position, comprises a pump casing H having a pumping chamber 12 and an impeller l3 in the pumping chamber for pumping fluid from an inlet passage l4 to an outlet pasbody of the distance piece is imperforate so that the interior thereof may serve as a container 22 for fluid medium, and at the rearward end of the distance piece is an external flange 23 that abuts the Open end of a casing 24 which is clamped in fluid tight engagement to the flange 23 by bolts 25.

The casing 24 is of cup-shape, having a wall at one end and an opening at the other end, and

defines a chamber 26 for an electric motor 21 through the chamber 26 and the motor. Thefront end, or head, 28 of the motor is secured to the flang 23 by bolts 28 for supporting the motor, and in the end of the head 28 is a shallow recess an to receive a boss 31 on the end of the distance piece for holding the motor in axial relationship with the impeller l3.

In the form of the invention shown, the shaft 32 of the motor 21 is of a length to extend tion upon the shaft by a key 35 embedded in the shaft and in a slot 31 in the inner surface of the sleeve. The sleeve 34 extends through a bushing 38 in the pump casing ll, immediately adjacent the balancing drum l5, and is of sufficiently smaller diameter than the bore of the bushing 38 to permit of a restricted flow of fluid from the chamber 22 to the surface 18 of the balancing drum.

The bearings for the portion of the shaft 32 associated directly with the motor 21 are of the anti-friction type commonly provided for the purpose. One of these, designated 39, is arranged in the rearward end of the motor casing and a pair of similar bearings, designated 40, are arranged in a cage 4! in the head 28 and having a suitabl passage 42 to afford communication between th chamber 22 and the anti-friction members 43 of the bearings 40..

In order that a portion of the fluid discharged from the impeller l3 into the pumping chamber may be diverted for use as a lubricant for the various bearings of the pumping mechanism and as a cooling agent for the motor 21, the pump casing ll is provided with a passage 44 that leads from the pumping chamber 12. to the chamber 22, and in the head 28 is a passage, or passages, 45 for conveying fluid from the chamber 22 into t e lower portion of the chamber 26. Owing to this arrangement, a portion of the fluid discharged by the impeller |3 will flow directly from the pumping chamber into the chambers 22 and 26 to fill these chambersso that the motor and the bearings of the pumping mechanism will be constantly immersed, it being understood that the rearward bearing "'0! the motor is directly exposed to the fluid in the chamber 26.

Means are provided to assure a constant circulation of fluid through the chambers 22 and 26. To this end the pumping mechanism is provided with a conduit 46 to convey fluid from the chamber 18. The conduit 40 is preferably attached to the chamber 2! at a point above the motor 21 to assurethe complete displacement of air from the chamber 2!. and the opposite end of the conduit 4' opens into a point of low pressure .in the pumping mechanism, as for example the inlet passage II.

The electrical energy supplied to the motor may be introduced thereto through a sealed terminal box 1 attached to the casing 24 in such wise asvto prevent leakage of fluid along the cooperating surfaces or the said casing'and the terminal box. 7

In the operation or the device some the fluid discharged from the pump passes from the pumping chamber I! through the passage l4 into the chamber 22, thence through he Passages II into the chamber 2. The fluid in the chambers 22 and 2t floods the bearings oi the pumpin mechanismand the motor 21 will also be fully immersed in the fluid to carry away the heat generated during pumping. Upon leaving the chamber 26 the fluid is again returned to a point of low pressure in the pumping system, in the present instance to the inlet passage H, to commingle with the fluid flowing from the source of supply to the pump. F

As will begreadily appreciated, by keeping the chambers 22 and! fllled with fluid discharged from the impeller all danger of air entering the pumping system will be eliminated. No stufling boxes will, thereiore, be required between the impeller and the motor and the danger oi damage, through oxidation, to the transformer insulation will be entirely obviated.

I claim:

1.- Pumping mechanism, comprising a pump having inlet and outlet passages, a motor for driving the pump. a support member for the motor, a casing having a chamber with an opening at only one end topermit the entrance 0! the motor into the chamber and the walls of said casing being spaced from the motor to permit the tree flow oi fluid medium through the chamber, conduit means for conveying discharge fluid medium from the pump into the chamber to inundate the motor, and a conduit leading from the chamber to the inlet passage for conveying fluid medium from the chamber,

2. Pumping mechanism, comprising a pump having inlet and outlet passages. a motor for drivin the Pump, a support member for the motor, a casing having a chamber with .an opening at only one end to permit the entrance of the motor into the chamber and the walls of said casing being spaced from th motor to permit the tree flow ot fluid medium through the chamber, conduit means for conveying discharge fluid medium from the pump into the lower portion of the chamber to inundate the motor, and a conduit leading from the upper portion of the chamber to the inlet passage tor conveying fluid medium from the chamber.

JALIFS W. MCCONAGHY. 

